SAG Strike Authorization Ballots To Be Sent Jan. 2
Ballots Will Be Cast For Three-Week Period
By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 12/10/2008 5:14:00 AM
In order to allow members time to read and consider pending contract language, the Screen Actors Guild has decided to send out its strike authorization ballots in 2009, after the holidays.
Ballots are now scheduled to go out to 120,000 members of the actors union on Jan. 2. Ballots will be cast for three weeks, then the results tabulated on Jan. 23 by an outside firm, Integrity Voting Systems of Everett, WA. The results of the vote will be announced on the same day, according to the union.
Three-quarters of the actors voting during the three weeks would have to approve strike authorization for the ballot measure to win. A positive 75% result would mean the leadership of the union could call a strike, if further talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers fail, without going to the membership again for an actual strike vote.
Screen Actors Guild national president Alan Rosenberg said, ”SAG members understand that their futures as professional actors are at stake and I believe that SAG members will evaluate the AMPTP’s June 30 offer, and vote to send us back to the table with the threat of a strike. A yes vote sends a strong message that we are serious about fending off rollbacks and getting what is fair for actors in new media."
Rosenberg added he was encouraged by a capacity crowd at a Los Angeles town hall meeting on the strike Dec. 8, but the meeting was held in a venue with only 450 seats. The union said it was the largest site it could find on short notice. Other meetings are planned in larger venues.
In response to the release of the schedule, the AMPTP: "We hope that working actors will study our contract offer carefully and come to the conclusion that no strike can solve the problems that have been created by SAG's own failed negotiation strategy."
